What is Nowruz?
Nowruz is an Iranian/Persian new year that starts with spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Iranians use a solar calendar which is the most precise one. All the Iranians worldwide celebrate their new year on the first day of Farvardin month (19th, 20th or 21st of March) at the exact time which differs each year and the celebration officially continues for 13 days.
Iranian/Persian Calendar?
This calendar is almost unknown in the West, although is one of the most accurate because it is self-correcting and based on astronomical observation of the vernal equinox. Unlike the Gregorian, which is rule-based and even in its modern form, deviates from the solar year by 1 day in 3226 years. The Iranian calendar uses a sophisticated intercalation system for determining the leap years and the beginning of the year, which is a natural phenomenon (arrival of the Sun at the Vernal Equinox), and is precisely determined each year by astronomical observations.
The present calendar resulted from a reform conducted in 1079 by a group of astronomers headed by the great Iranian mathematician and poet Omar Khayyam. The origin of the calendar is however much older. It goes back to the Persian Achaemenian period in the 6th century BC. The Islamic lunar calendar was widely used till the end of the 19th century. However, since the Pahlavi period, the more accurate solar calendar has been used throughout the country and has remained the official system despite the Islamic revolution. During the Pahlavi period, the Arabic months used extensively were abandoned and once again the ancient Persian names were revived and are still in use today. Iran Chamber Society
Learn more about Calendars & Spring Celebrations around the world
Who Celebrates Nowruz?
Considering Iranians use their ancient calendar as the official one throughout the country, the Arabic calendar for Islamic events and the Gregorian calendar for international dealing, be patient if you encounter an Iranian who has a difficult time telling you their birthday on the Gregorian date!
The exact time and date for this year for different cities and countries around the world can be found here.
Countries that officially celebrate this new year for thousands of years are;
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Learn more about Calendars & Spring Celebrations around the world
Haftseen
Haftseen (Persian: هفتسین) is an arrangement of seven symbolic items whose names start with the letter “س” (pronounced as “seen”). Learn more about Haftseen
Nowruz Bazar
Things I miss most about the Nowruz celebration are the lively Tajrish Bazar just a couple of hours before New Year, the sound of salespeople reminding customers of no time left, and their colourful arrangements of Sabzeh (wheat, barley, mung bean, or lentil sprouts are grown in a dish), colourful handmade eggs, goldfish, and flowers.
Happy Nawruz to you too🌺